As the heat of summer dissipates, New York City streets come alive with a riotous symphony of fashion. A symphony, however, that is in stark contrast to the prevailing hush surrounding the “quiet luxury” trend. This discrepancy raises questions. Could it be because the very wealthy are not our pedestrian comrades? That they prefer the cocooning comfort of a chauffeured luxury car, a la “Succession?” One thing’s for sure – Alexander Wang is not swayed by the hushed tones of the summer 2023, his Alexander Wang Pre-Fall 2023 lineup is a proud proclamation of rebellious elegance.
As summer heat scalds the asphalt, the proclaimed trend of “quiet luxury” seems to exist only in the digital sphere. It’s as if the quiet has been swallowed by the cacophonous roar of Alexander Wang’s Pre-Fall 2023 collection, now available in stores. Evidently, Wang is not interested in whispering; he prefers to make his statements in bold, italic, underlined – full volume.
In the spirit of his “Cupid’s Door” show, which took place on the cusp of New York Fashion Week back in February, his Pre-Fall lineup walks the runway from boudoir to club, serving tantalizing intimacies and party swagger in equal measure. The familiarity of this collection is its strength, from the sultry elegance of lace-edged slip dresses, the casual audacity of cotton poplin boxer briefs reinvented as shorts, to the daring curve of thong underwear playing peekaboo above the waistline of relaxed jeans.
A notable addition to this audacious lineup is Wang’s “Dome” accessories range. Upon first glance, the matte metal hardware could evoke thoughts of intimate objects of self-pleasure. This is fashion turned provocateur – tiptoeing on the border of the risqué, playfully challenging conventions, an audacious wink that breaks the monotony of staid luxury.
In contrast, when occasion demands a more demure approach, Wang doesn’t disappoint. He offers reimagined shirting featuring built-in smocking or wrapped details, and presents a range of tailored pieces characterized by streamlined, subtly boxy silhouettes. But it’s not all about the club and boardroom. He acknowledges that athleisure for his younger demographic is less of a trend and more a lifestyle. Wang’s twist in this segment is moving away from the ubiquitous yoga and Pilates gear and instead, drawing inspiration from the voluminous proportions of boxing and basketball attire.
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